autumn equinox - Page 2

[wynkenblynken&nod]

Lol! We live in Texas

and we joke because we have summer from may to october, fall in november and december, winter in january and febuary, which leaves march and april for spring. For january and febuary, we might get down to 30 but there are days amid that, in which we'll get up to 80. which will be followed by another snow day. Our weather here is very confused, but I like to explain it like this. You can always wear shorts here except for one month's time. The last two weeks of january and the first two weeks of febuary. I'm amazed anything grows here at all.

[luv my 2 sweeties]

Thanks for both wreath ideas and the article! I already have florist's wire, cardboard and raffia, so we could try either or both this fall. I don't know if I'm up to the level of wreath making in the article right now, but I'm printing it for future reference. We have lots of opportunities to collect fall nature items here in Michigan. Once the kids get a little older (and thus have the manual dexterity to "do" more on a fancier wreath) we may try such a project.

[aishy]

Originally Posted by wynkenblynken&nod

and we joke because we have summer from may to october, fall in november and december, winter in january and febuary, which leaves march and april for spring. For january and febuary, we might get down to 30 but there are days amid that, in which we'll get up to 80. which will be followed by another snow day. Our weather here is very confused, but I like to explain it like this. You can always wear shorts here except for one month's time. The last two weeks of january and the first two weeks of febuary. I'm amazed anything grows here at all.

Exactly!!!!

aisling

[WastedGlamour]

My daugther and I are going to attend our first activity with our new homeschooling group. I am really excited! Im such a dork

The family holding the activity are pagans and they have prepared a autum equinox celebration. I'm really looking forward to it. It think we are going on a nature walk, then we are going to do a fall mobile with leaves, pinecones, acrons, etc., a placemat with fall pictures and dried leaves from a torn paper, tree leaf rubbings and the sorts. Then we will cook food from the harvest.

[wynkenblynken&nod]

I just got a knock at the door from the

christians at the southern babtist church near bryan's aunt's house. They asked me if they could leave a pamplet and talk to me about God. I told them that I was Pagan and the lady broke out laughing. Apparently, this is the funniest thing she's heard in her 40 years of doing this. She asked me to explain what being a Pagan is and was laughing the whole time. I think she meant well, but she had me . She asked what God I worshipped and I told her I worshipped many Gods. She asked about one in particular and though she isn't my patron Goddess, I gave Danu as an example. I was trying to explain her role as an Earth Goddess, to which the only thing she could relate to was Mother Nature, though I don't believe that is quite right I let it go. *sigh* Why is it ok to laugh in someone's face about who they worship? I could have made some snarky comments, because lets face it, no one (including Gods) are perfect, lol. :LOL I decided to just let it go, however. Of course, it was like 10 am here and my son was still just in his underwear, and he decided at that moment to come out to the living room to read. I'm glad I'm not a fly so that I don't know what she now thinks of all Pagans!

Anyway, she didn't appear to believe me that Danu is a Goddess and that I'm not really just Atheist. I told her that I'm opinionated enough to let her know what I believe and that it would be a disservice to my beliefs if I didn't openly proclaim it.

I think about it now and how much I could have informed her about the Rede and the Three fold law and particularly NO ANIMAL SACRIFICES!

Perhaps if she comes back down the street, I'll invite her to our Mabon! :LOL

Liv

p.s. We gathered our pinecones (in 101 heat in the shade and it felt like 114 out in the sun) and our leaves, acorns, beans and a horseapple (I don't know, y'all). We washed them in cold water last night in our cooler which closes them up and gets all the bugs out. I'm doing dishes now to have clean pans so I can cook them and they open back up and smell good from the sap. YAY! I'll tell you how they turn out. LOVE TO ALL! I'm so excited!

[wynkenblynken&nod]

Have a

blessed Mabon, all!!!

[Seeking Refuge]

You all have such neat ideas. Our celebration will have to be postponed to the weekend because we have the Goodall thing tonight. We have some corn stalks that we are going to bunch together and I have a few pumpkin/gourd things. We will have a bonfire at some point over the weekend.

[Mary-Beth]

Nature Table?

Some people mentioned their nauture tables? What's that? Could you tell me more.

We planned to have a small party with a neighbor but her boys woke up sick this morning. We'll go outside and probbaly bring a basket on a walk and collect items...leaves, pinecones, etc. The leaves are already falling becasue we're having a drought. (believe it or not!)

I'll pull out books on Autumn...and see if they are interested in reading them.

[wynkenblynken&nod]

Here is a bit of info on nature tables:

http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/scott.htm

http://www.naturetables.com/

There are pictures and everything. Have fun!

[UnschoolnMa]

Instead of a nature table I have an altar area. It's similiar though in that it's adorned with seasonal items.

[Seeking Refuge]

My nature table currently consists of one ear of Indian corn and a teeny tiny pathetic gourd along with the fall candle I made a couple of years back. I need to get on that.

[USAmma]

I just decided yesterday that we will be observing the wheel of the year. We live in AZ and never get good fall leaves, at least in the desert where we are. I have asked friends in other states to press and mail us some pretty fall leaves. Today I announced it was the first day of Fall and dd looked outside very skeptically at our green ash tree, and it's still above 100 but getting cooler in the mornings.

This afternoon we made a 5 foot tall tree out of brown paper and taped it to the door of our learning room (read: toddlerproof). We'll decorate it according to the season with leaves, buds, snowflakes, and wildlife. It was a lot of fun.

I would eventually like to start a nature table but it's hard with a toddler around who likes to throw rocks and things.

[Mary-Beth]

Thanks for the info. on Nature Tables.

I'm excited to make one with my kids!

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by USAmma

I just decided yesterday that we will be observing the wheel of the year.

How exciting for your family!

Today I announced it was the first day of Fall and dd looked outside very skeptically at our green ash tree, and it's still above 100 but getting cooler in the mornings.

lol @ your Dd's skepticism. It was kind of like that for us last year when we were living in the high desert part of Oregon for a bit. It was still really hot, but the mornings and nights were starting to get chilly. That was the only clue until the leaves actually fell off (seemingly overnight!)

This afternoon we made a 5 foot tall tree out of brown paper and taped it to the door of our learning room (read: toddlerproof). We'll decorate it according to the season with leaves, buds, snowflakes, and wildlife. It was a lot of fun.

I did that with my preschool class and they always loved "their tree".

I would eventually like to start a nature table but it's hard with a toddler around who likes to throw rocks and things.

You might consider having a taller (read out of reach ) nature table for you and your older one, and then maybe a simple one down low with stuff you feel comfortable with the toddler having/handling. (ie rock free etc) Things like corn husks, small but not too small sticks, etc. Good luck!

[USAmma]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[wynkenblynken&nod]

USAmma,

girl, your signature made me choke on my milk this morning. I was drinking and surfing and I guess that's what I get :LOL

Thanks for brightening my day

Liv